In the boxing world, it's called an overmatch. This 1973 artifact found Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross plugged into tracks by a half-dozen producers (including Gaye/Tammi Terrell masterminds Ashford & Simpson, Motown stalwart Hal Davis, and Berry Gordy himself). Although Gaye would later speak disdainfully of Ross to biographer David Ritz, and his richly emotive tone indeed sometimes mixes with her piping coos like oil with water, Diana & Marvin still proves hard to resist. Gaye's restraint is a fine thing to hear, and the two get fittingly touching material in two Stylistics covers and the wonderful single "My Mistake (Was to Love You)." (Never mind how unconvincing they sound on "I'm Falling in Love with You"; lie back and enjoy it.) More than a curio, less than a classic, the original album is augmented by four bonus tracks, three previously unreleased. --Rickey Wright Amazon.com
Two Aries, what an excellent pairing!!!! Marvin Gaye with his beautiful voice, and the beautiful Diana Ross and her amazing vocals. It doesn't get any better than this!!!! My favorite tracks on this album are Stop, Look, Listen to your Heart, and My Mistake!!! It is a crying shame that Marvin Gaye was taken away from us so soon. He left behind a legacy of great music!!!
September 17, 2007 |  | A good piece of nostalgia - Special for Soul fanatics! |  |
This album contains two wonderful scores by Diana Ross and the late (and unforgettable) Marvin Gaye: "My Mistake (Was To Love You)", and "You Are My Everything". Period.
However, if you're a serious Soul music fan, this CD must be in your collection (not yet? Get it right now!), surely you will enjoy the rest of the songs.
June 5, 2007I used to listen to this album in the early 70's, I somehow lost track of it and purchased this CD after Diana Ross was on American Idol. I've always loved Diana and Marvin Gaye and the melody of their voices. This brings back many memories of a simpler wonderful time.
May 7, 2007 | | Great music but not a great combination of voices... | |
I had this album as a child, wore it out back then and still listen to it today. The songs are fabulous, it's just that Marvin sings circles around Diana. I love Diana, don't get me wrong, but her voice is too thin to get down with Marvin. I'm wondering if Themla Houston was signed to Motown at this time. Her voice would have been more fitting than Diana's. I understand that Marvin and Diana were the Prince and Princess of Motown at that time, but the album cover gives you a hint about their chemistry together (their backs are turned to each other).
We all know the story of how Marvin refused to stop smoking his "stuff" in the presence of pregnant Diana so they weren't in the studio together for the most part and there's really no evidence of that. It's just that their voices don't blend together well. Marvin's rough, thick voice up against Diana's thin, waily voice just doesn't quite get there. I love both of their voices and the music is slammin' but their voices together are a mismatch. On "Pledging My Love", Marvin sings the intro and he really brings it, singing, "Forever my darlin', my love will be true, always and forever, I'll love just you..." Then here comes Diana sounding like a 12 year old, "Forever my darlin'.." It almost makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Also on "Love Twins", Marvin says to Diana (or maybe he says it into a microphone and Diana was nowhere in sight), "I love you baby." She replies, "I love you too Marvin." They sound more like distant cousins who haven't seen each other in a while rather than passionate lovers. Marvin and Tammi sang together like they were going to get a room after leaving the studio.
So if you're looking for some of that kind of magic on this album, it's not there in the voices, but it is in the music. The music is excellent, that's why I give it 5 stars. There's a great mix of uptempo songs ("Don't Knock My Love", "My Mistake") and some really beautiful ballads ("Pledging My Love," "Falling In Love With You"). "Just Say, Just Say" written by the masters, Ashford and Simpson, is another highlight. If you want to hear some good ole 70's Motown music, this one is the joint. But if you want to hear some good duets, particularly some Marvin duets, stick with Marvin and Tammi or Marvin and Kim.
February 16, 2007To start, this is one of the best productions, I've ever heard. I first purchased it, when it was released as an album, and damn near played it to death. I love Diana Ross, and have been a fan, since she led the Supremes. And Marvin Gaye, was one of the greatest talents, of the Music Industry. So together, how could the album be any thing but a hit? Well, I don't know if it was a hit or not but the material was and is top notch, and their voices blended remarkably, well. Every time I hear "My Mistake," "Love Twins" or "Don't Knock My Love," I'm reminded of the good old days, and how much these two artist, added to my life. To this day, I love Diana Ross, and remember Marvin Gaye, as one of the greats of his time. "My Mistake," It's time to find that CD. They don't make music like that, any more.
September 6, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(29 reviews)